Kevin Sinfield on his move to Rugby Union, his relationship with Steve Borthwick and Doddie Weir.

In an exclusive interview courtesy of British Airways, Hask sat down with England coach and rugby League legend Kevin Sinfield.
In an open and honest conversation, Kevin discussed his move to Rugby Union, his relationship with Steve Borthwick and the impact Doddie Weir had on his life.
British Airways are the Official Airline Partner of England Rugby.
0:01 - Intro
0:45 - Kevin Sinfield joins us
3:30 - The Journey to now
11:28 - Coming into camp
13:20 - Kevin on Steve Borthwick
17:17 - Kevin on Rob Burrows
#englandrugby #rugby #kevinsinfield

[@johnblair5690]

Absolute class gentlemen

[@ericthiart7277]

Kevin Sinfield, the world needs more people like you. Every time I watch anything you are involved in, I learn and listen. God bless you! Good luck with the World Cup, still think England will surprise us all. Springbok supporter here.

[@JackalOutdoors]

What an inspirational man Kevin is. A true caring, sporting legend in my opinion and I really hope he is rewarded soon.

[@williamchanning9055]

This guy is one of those who inspires others, what he has done for his friend Rob Burrow is incredible and he is very humble. If there is one man that is worthy of a knighthood, it is Kevin, far more deserving than any of the self serving politicians..

[@TP1988]

I really, really, really hope this man’s work with England starts to show soon. He deserves it to

[@dazeng4633]

Everybody does but let's be honest, it's been nothing short of a disgrace.

[@srodber915]

No surprise Kev got on so well with Doddie, both incredible blokes. I met Doddie during the first year of his battle, he was humble, funny, warm and carried an aura like no one else I’ve met. Cheers Kevin, good luck in France. Miss you Doddie.

[@trimad6128]

He deserves every success!inspirational,humble and a great man.I Hope England turn it around and show as much fight as this man

[@EnglishVeteran]

Great bloke, great coach, great Englishman!

[@tonyjonesbassoonwhippet2271]

Loved this. World needs more men like Sinfield, what a diamond. Great stuff gents👏👏👏

[@NTL578]

Very good interview, nice to see what Hask can do when he isn't getting talked over constantly. Kevin Sinfield what a great bloke.

[@philipevans1027]

Kevin was an amazing player, I wish all the best with england and his role

[@nickcharnley19]

I really enjoyed that, Hask, you are quite articulate when you want be, as for Sir Kevin (if this has'nt happened yet, I'm sure it will) I'd of done anything it took for this man, there is hope, we are going to be ok.

[@BrendanD220]

What a guy, inspirational

[@domknill]

What an inspiration Sir Kev is. And Hask is turning into a great interviewer too. Top job.

[@ds-ii6bm]

A true great, intelligent, compassionate and articulate. It is never about him but about all those around him and anybody he can help move forward.

[@rodmitchell1151]

Legend of a man.

[@tobymcflurry258]

What a bloke Kevin is

[@benmoore7215]

Amazing man no doubt. Just think he's been put in an impossible position with so little experience compared to teams coached by the likes of Sean Edwards, Andy Farrell with actual union pro experience and lengthy high level coaching in Union.

[@nicholasfallowfield4379]

unless I missed it I would have liked to have heard about Kevin's assessment of England's defence. It has conceded way too many tries in the warm up matches and we all know that defences win RWCs....so what is wrong with it and what is he doing to fix it? And otherwise of course he is a super inspirational person!

[@danadams05]

I hope there will be another interview after the RWC, as I doubt he would give any insight away as to what they’re working on. After, I imagine a great man like that would be quite honest on what was the plan.

[@neila6474]

A true inspiration.

[@dmajorvgm8735]

An absolutely incredible person, I have nothing but respect for him. I am slightly confused however about how someone with next to no rugby union playing experience and a small stint in coaching can be England defence coach? Presumably defence works quite differently between league and union? I really hope he succeeds, but it’s hard to look at our performances defensively and not question a defence coach with incredibly limited experience

[@luke.hutchinson]

The RFU wanted Steve, as I understand it, Steve wouldn’t take the job without Kevin. I agree, it seems odd that there’s little experience in union and no proven history.

[@davidfife-nm7uy]

He’s a League guy so he’ll be fine. That’s the trouble with rugby people, they don’t think outside of the box. Rugby league guys have great input into defences that are crap

[@dmajorvgm8735]

@@davidfife-nm7uy I don’t claim to be an expert so maybe you’re right and league players can coach union no problem, it does seem odd to me though, they are very different games. They don’t even have the same number of players on the field. It seems logical to me that the England defence coach would have some experience playing the game he’s coaching

[@pauldavies7251]

​@@dmajorvgm8735you sound so naive it's obvious your clueless of both codes.

[@nikolaucznaum4312]

@@dmajorvgm8735Defence is a way of life for all league players!!…

[@nicolahumphryes2455]

Kevin does deserve to become a SIR,what a true legend and honest and loyal man.

[@mygoogle1482]

Great rugby league player, borthwick and his coaching team are the poorest for many years, well done rfu, great job.

[@alanedwards6968]

Kevs, just a wonderful human being,

[@iamdanna9621]

Obviously, the discussions around Rob Burrow really puts some perspective on the relative triviality of England's terrible form... and Sinfield is a far better human being than I will ever be... but to avoid any conversation about the team's complete lack of direction and performance, and then end on 'I think the squad is in a really good place', is a large reason why the fans are growing disillusioned with the both the England coaching team and also the English rugby media.

[@dmajorvgm8735]

Very much agree with everything you said. It’s actually becoming a bit bizarre how they just keep ignoring how bad the performances have been and pretending that everything is fine and the squad is “in a good place”. I think all England fans would appreciate a bit more honesty and some actual dialog on how they’re going to put it right

[@DK-cy5mt]

England's erosion didn't start with Borthwick though, it started with Eddie Jones and there's a lot of rot to sort

[@dmajorvgm8735]

@@DK-cy5mt Perhaps but it’s gotten ten times worse since Borthwick took over and we’re on a downward trajectory. It’s clearly not all Borthwicks fault, it’s a lot to do with the RFU and the state of the English rugby system as a whole, but some honest communication from the England camp would go a long way to avoid alienating fans like they are currently

[@DK-cy5mt]

@@dmajorvgm8735 we were already on that downward trajectory. When 11 out of 15 starting players in the premiership are overseas players, you know something is wrong. The rot lies mainly within the RFU, they're full off stuffed shirt private school windbags, it needs a revolution

[@dmajorvgm8735]

@@DK-cy5mt For sure. I do think it is possible to get more out of these players than Borthwick currently is though, they could at least play some exciting rugby to entertain us before we inevitably lose

[@simonporch2548]

He commands respect & so grounded. You want him to do well.

[@MrJlc93]

Get yourself a friend like Kev and you'll do alright 👍 what a man

[@CosmicOnion]

Even though he played for Leeds, being a Castleford lad, I very greatly disliked him as a player. Loved him playing for England but so dangerous when playing against you. What an inspirational human

[@recruitmentwebsites]

Kevin is the best of the best

[@corny165]

Real life super hero is Kevin Sinfield.

[@michaelearley1398]

What a man

[@michaelwardle4547]

What. A. Bloke. Kevin Sinfield is an absolute colossus of a man.

[@neilcarpenter2669]

Great bloke .

[@michaelatkinson4411]

LEGENDS!

[@Olafjabberwocky]

If that isn't motivation enough to play for the shirt then they don't deserve to play again. What a great man as a player, a coach and a friend everyone should have a Sir Kev.

[@davidjooste5788]

Great convesation.

[@TheGrayson84]

The man should be knighted. Sir Kev!

[@Lf2968]

Great interview, love Kevin, but would have liked more than 50 seconds dedicated to the upcoming RWC

[@stevebell395]

Kevin what a man

[@bigted1347]

You git ! You bloody made me cry

[@keithcrane469]

hask looks genuinely star struck

[@carpusbarsum]

Good interview. Top bloke is Kev. However, this Enlgand set up seems far too comfortable for me though....They never seem to take into account the opposition strengths. SA and France, Ireland, Scotland have ball carriers....England don't. They just seem to get monstered in the forwards and no amount of bantz on the training ground will make up for that.

[@EasyTiger.01343]

Thank you. Well said!

[@andrewreid749]

That was enjoyable.

[@Marcsadventure]

What a stand up guy

[@danedwadd62]

Kev is great person but being an amazing human can’t be enough as defence coach, our defence has to be better this World Cup

[@stevebell395]

Its coming home

[@mattoconnor1694]

That mustard tee though😆

[@oliversmiddy840]

I am a huge Kevin Sinfield fan as a Rhinos supporter. He’s an awesome bloke. I just don’t think he should be England defence coach (at this stage in his career). England’s defence has regressed horribly since he took over. Edwards had a decade at Wasps before he got the Welsh gig. Sinfield will be amazing in due course but it’s a shame Borthwick has taken the easy route and taken the Leicester coaching team en masse, given their total lack of experience.

[@billytitchener8641]

To be fair it's a case that I'm glad that you could eat those words during the whole tournament. Very unlucky in the end but great tournament. Still alot of fight in those lions.

[@markpreston6345]

Top man...just hope his players actually implement some defence in the next few weeks

[@GWills-ys6rd]

England Rugby seems to be in a bad place and there is a need for urgency in terms of producing a winning performance. I didn't really get a sense of urgency in this interview and it seemed to be a little too relaxed and self-depracating. No doubt privately and personally Kevin Sinfield is an exceptional and respected human being. But this interview was representative of England Rugby and I didn't really get a sense of the work currently taking place as defence coach to produce a winning performance. Obviously we all support the empathy and sentiments expressed in the interview regarding MND and the people mentioned. But I don't really understand the purpose of the interview in terms of rugby insight and specifically the imminent RWC 2023 campaign.

[@David-ud9ju]

Yeah, very weird interview. Sounds like he doesn't really know what he's tallking about. He's just agreeing with Hask and stating stuff out of an Idiot's Guide to Coaching Rugby.

[@GWills-ys6rd]

I does seem a little odd knowing how much money is invested in this England RWC 2023 campaign.

[@agr7879]

Goood guy, but totally out of his depth as defence coach. Maybe too soon for him

[@pauldavies7251]

Take a look at the England squad, Previously you'd have multiple world class players especially in the pack, You've maybe got 2 or 3 at best now, Its not always the coaches fault!!

[@David-ud9ju]

Clearly out of his depth. This was like watching a football interview. I doubt he has the intelligence to order a take away let alone organise a complex defensive structure based on in depth analysis of the opposition attack. He was just agreeing with what Hask was saying and then quoting buzz words and nonsense.

[@carpusbarsum]

Ah, the old rugby league players are just thick narrative.

[@gingervirus2988]

Nice

[@benmoore7215]

Say that to any pro rugby players face would you? 😅

[@pauldavies7251]

Jesus 😮 top pros have got more knowledge & understanding in they're little toe than you've got 🤦‍♂️

[@stephenhodgson3506]

Ignorance personified, maybe if you'd done 5 minutes of research you would know that Sir Kev has a degree in sports science and an MA in Business. Can you match those qualifications? So yes he can order a take away and yes he is more than capable of carrying out in depth analysis. Based on your comment however it is quite clear that you are incapable of doing basic research and are riddled with bias and ignorance. Oh and you appear to be quite willing to broadcast just how ignorant you are to the world.

[@AntSudbury-tv3we]

Shinfield ,should be in charge of england, not Borthwick

[@David-ud9ju]

The dude has half a season's coaching experience. He shouldn't be anywhere near any England job. He doesn't know what he's doing. Ditto with Wigglesworth.

[@johnfletcher9907]

Everybodies banging on about how inspirational and nice this guy is but I don’t get it. No offence cos I know he’s supposed to be a legend but I find his dull northern tone boring and de-motivating. No passion that I can see, in fact I’d rather be coached by hask who seems to be a lot more articulate, passionate, interesting and inspirational then this dude. 😴😴

[@davidstorey2368]

I find this comment abit sad and ignorent if you've ever played team sport which I'm assuming you have you'll understand Not everyone's a talker or a good talker sometimes the best leaders and this is probably the case with Kevin Sinfield do just that they lead. lead By example by actions by how you treat people and carry yourself he would of take that from player to coach some people don't need to shout or jump about to be good at what they do and you certainly don't become as successful as Kevin was as a player and now as a coach by being a push over dull and unmotivating

[@rjworldsportsnews]

Just go and watch highlights of Kevin Sinfield playing rugby league and you’ll see he’s passionate - watch his marathon running documentaries and his love for his best mate Rob and you’ll soon witness his passion. You don’t have to shout and ball to be passionate - he’s an inspiration

[@thomastimms88]

Rob Burrow*

[@Ben_Dover15]

Kevin is a phenomenal man but who the hell was asking for the podcast to have a higher % of Haskell? I get you’re copying big Jim but I’ll not be watching these